The Infinite

Thy names, how infinite they be

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 29 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Thy names, how infinite they be!
Great Everlasting one!
Boundless thy might and majesty,
And unconfin'd thy throne.

2 Thy glories shine of wond'rous size,
And wond'rous large thy grace:
Immortal day breaks from thine eyes,
And Gabriel veils his face.

3 Thine essence is a vast abyss,
Which angels cannot sound,
An ocean of infinites,
Where all our thoughts are drown'd.

4 Thy mysteries of creation lie
Beneath enlighten'd minds;
Thoughts can ascend above the sky,
And fly before the winds.

5 Reason may grasp the massy hills,
And stretch from pole to pole,
But half thy name our spirit fills,
And overloads our soul.

6 In vain our haughty reason swells,
For nothing's found in thee
But boundless inconceivables,
And vast eternity.

Source: The Hartford Selection of Hymns: from the most approved authors: to which are added a number never before published (2nd ed.) #IV

Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Thy names, how infinite they be
Title: The Infinite
Author: Isaac Watts
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 29 of 29)
Page Scan

A Choice Selection of Evangelical Hymns, from various authors #15

Text

A Collection of Evangelical Hymns #V

Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Social and Private Worship #XLII

Page Scan

A Selection of Hymns & Psalms #7

Page Scan

A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #H.III

Page Scan

A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #H.III

Page Scan

A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors. #6

TextPage Scan

A Selection of Hymns #VI

Page Scan

Baptist Hymn Book #a9

Page Scan

Dupuy's Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Rev. corr. and enl.) #21

Page Scan

Hymn and Tune Book for Use in Old School or Primitive Baptist Churches #11

Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Selected and Original. 7th ed. #d447

Page Scan

Hymns for Christian Melody #23

Page Scan

New Select Hymns #2

Supplement to Watts #d430

The American Repository of Sacred Music #d158

The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d561

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn Book #12

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn Book #9

The Halifax Selection of Hymns #d422

TextPage Scan

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the Most Approved Authors #IV

TextPage Scan

The Hartford Selection of Hymns #IV

Page Scan

The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #724

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us